OXFORD– It’s a bitter battle in Oxford where residents are split over plans to build a natural gas power plant, and the plans will likely move forward, despite growing and fierce opposition.
On Thursday night, more than 500 Oxford residents voted down an agreement where the town would receive an additional $60 million in taxes from CPV ( Competitive Power Venture), the developers of a proposed power plant to be built near the Waterbury-Oxford Airport.
Oxford First Selectman George Temple said the “no vote” could lower the projected tax revenue paid by to the Town of Oxford by $60 million.
Some residents seemed baffled by the decision.
“They have to look at bringing more revenue in here,” said Laura Pederson, an Oxford resident.
Others believed Oxford was getting a good deal in the proposal voted upon Thursday night.
“Nobody wants it,” said Joanne Talarico.
CPV’s $1 billion project has been approved by the Connecticut Citing Council contingent upon a favorable review of that plan, an air permit from DEEP, and a favorable review from the Federal Aviation Administration, which has ruled that the project’s two 150-foot smokestacks would have no adverse effect on the safety of aircraft landing at the nearby airport.
DEEP is still evaluating five new permit submitted by CPV Towantic, four permits for the facility’s combustion turbines and emergency diesel fired engines, and one permit for an auxiliary boiler.
The agency will host a public input session for the permits on September 17th at 6:30 p.m. at Oxford High School.
